Johnson shines as Aggies romp over UAB

In a spectacular display of offense, Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson led the 3-0 Aggies to a 56-19 victory over Alabama Birmingham.

The game was played before 74,656 football fans at Kyle Field.

It was Johnson’s day as he threw three touchdowns and rushed for three more scores. He completed 23 passes for 290 yards and ran for 69 yards. Johnson’s performance against UAB’s 116 th ranked defense pushed the Aggies offense to No. 1 in the NCAA. The Aggies average 574 yards per game.

Johnson is No. 3 in total offense in the individual category. He is averaging 385 yards per game. He has accounted for 1,157 yards this season.

In the first quarter, Johnson engineered a 14-play, 84-yard drive for a score. He completed passes of 9, 27, and 29. Running back Cyrus Gray ran six times for 25 yards before Johnson ran for a one yard TD.

Later, Johnson threw to 58-yard completion to sophomore QB/WR Ryan Tannehill to the UAB one-yard line. Then he toss a one-yard strike to junior tight end Don Bishop for the second score.

Then Johnson scored on an 18-yard dash to the end zone. He capped off the half with a six-yarder for a score.

After the half, Johnson tossed TD strikes to Freshman WR Ryan Swope and Tannehill.

Later, Tannehill got into the game as quarterback. Gray got 99 yards on 19 carries and one TD.

True freshman wide receiver/tight end Brandal Jackson got his first start in place of TE Jeff Fuller, who was sidelined with a broken fibula. Tackle Stephen Barrera, also a true freshman, started at left tackle for the first time. The Aggies have played a record 16 freshmen this season.

It was a good tune up as the Aggies are entering the toughest part of their schedule. They play the University of Arkansas next week at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. The Razorbacks are 1-2, 0-2 in Southeastern Conference play.

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The Razorback despite their record have dropped two games against ranked opponents. They lost 35-7 against No. 3 Alabama at Tuscaloosa. UA lost to No. 23 George 52-41.

Arkansas is ranked 55 in the Sagarin NCAA Football Ratings. A&M is ranked 66 th. That puts the Aggies in 9 th place in the Big 12 and ranked last in the Big 12 South.

It will be the first time the two teams have faced one another in Dallas. It will be the first time the Aggies have played in the new Cowboy domed stadium. The game will be televised at 6:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN2.

By Jay Goode
Big 12 Fans Texas A&M Correspondent

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